EKG Flashcards
Electrocardiograph
The machine that records an electrocardiogram
Amplitude
Also known as gain
the degree of change; in an EKG tracing it is represented by the vertical axis
12-lead
10 placements in body
Records heart activity from 12 angles & planes
each small vertical square…
represents 0.1 millivolts (mv)
each small horizontal square…
represents 0.04 seconds
paper speed
25 mm/sec
normal amplitude
10 mm or 1mv
Bipolar
recording of electrical current involving both a positive and negative pole
Unipolar
recording from one location or one pole
Augmented
A unipolar recording that requires assisting in magnifying the tracing by drawing from other poles
Precordial
Located on the chest in front of the heart
Performing an EKG
-Patient should be instructed to avoid applying any substance to skin prior to testing (lotion, powder, oils, ointment)
-clean skin with alcohol wipes or soap & water at attachment sites
-clip hair at the attachment area
Electrode & Lead Placement
the limb electrodes should be placed on fleshy areas of the skin & within the same general vicinity on each limb
Ex. if the left lower leg has been amputated, it can be necessary to place the electrode on the left lower abdomen AND the right lower leg electrode would be placed on the right lower abdomen
Which Leads are Bipolar?
Lead I
Lead II
Lead lll
Bipolar leads
record impulses that travel from the negative to positive pole at specific positions in the heart
